I’ve been battling a cold since last week, so I’m feeling a little under the weather. I’m actually getting better, thanks to herbal/homeopathic treatments. I really like Chestal Honey Cough Syrup 8.45 fl oz Liquidno weird colors or ingredients, it’s all homeopathic and the #1 ingredient is honey! If you’re concerned about taking OTC medications this is a great non-toxic alternative! I always get a killer cough after I’ve been sick and I used to have a prescription cough syrup, not any more. This all-natural syrup works for me, I can’t say enough about it!
I made myself a big pot of chicken soup with a chicken from the local farm, farmer’s market onions, homegrown celery and lots of homegrown garlic and hot peppers. It’s soothing and really helped break up my congestion.
I haven’t been able to do any canning in the evenings so I’ve been reading. As a result my library book pile is slowly dwindling, but the fruits & veggies are piling up on the table just waiting for their trip into the canner. While reading, I’ve been drinking lots of Throat Coat teawith honey. It is the perfect tea when you’ve got that raw scratchy feeling in your throat from coughing, I can’t recommend this tea enough!
As a result of my illness, I will have some great book reviews for you guys in the coming weeks. You will love some of these books I’ve been reading.

What remedies do you use to fight a cold/flu?

NOTE: I was not paid to tell you about these products, I’m the kind of person that tells people about products I love and I always appreciate it when people do the same for me so I don’t have to try different ones to find one I like.

I don’t use it as a remedy but tea is usually what I drink during a cold. I’m a fan of Mint and Earl Grey. Not necessarily together although that does sound interesting…
.-= Dave´s last blog ..The Greenhouse Project: Inspiration =-.

I do like you do: I listen to myself, drink as much as I can–especially that Throat Coat tea, and up my vitamin intake. I have never had a flu shot, though I have to admit, I’m considering it this year.

What really works for me is Echinacea. As soon as I do not feel well I take it immediately (multiple times a day – in tablet form); I can say that it helps me 90% of the time so that the cold or flu does not take a good hold, it goes away after a day or 2.

Facial steam baths are also really helpful. Boil water, mix in some fresh lemon juice. Place mixture in a bowl, place yourself over it, put a towel over your head and breath deep for a few minuets. It helps loosen-up stuff and the extra oxygen makes you feel better.

Also, a cup of one tablespoon of cider vinegar, one tablespoon of honey in hot water might help. Vinegar restores the loss of electrolytes, and as you know, honey has many healing powers.

Drinking lots of liquid also helps (although sugared store-bought juices are not a great for you because sugar is not a great thing to take in when you are sick.) Honey is different, it has already been digested by the bees so that your system does not have to digest it the same as other foods.

Taylor is really starting to take an interest in herb gardening. We’re hoping to add some natural cold-fighters to our garden beds, and bees will provide us with honey to help us with itchy throats. I saw a scientific study where they compared honey to cough syrup in a double blind test, and honey actually won out over fancy OTC medications. There’s a lot to say for natural, herbal remedies.
.-= Christine´s last blog ..Say hello to the ladies =-.

Sorry to hear you’re not feeling well, but glad you have some things that help. And really hoping you get to the fruits and veggies before the house fills up with fruit flies. I banished all tomatoes from my kitchen table because of that happening.
.-= Sande´s last blog ..Composting question =-.

This does not have anything to do with this particular post, but with something you wrote about some time ago. I could not find the article after I once read it, but it was about Ethel Gloves. Well, I tried some for myself, and they are the best!! I just returned from Lowes and they were on-sale. So you can buy some to make you feel better; we all need a little cheering-up when we are not feeling well. Here is the link.

We usually got with a number of things – our homemade tinctures of Echinacea and Licorice Root (for sore throats), elderberry syrup, and a fantastic tea I found in Rosemary Gladstar’s “Family Herbal” for lung and chest congestion. My DH swears by it for congestion. The main ingredient is Elecampane root which inspired several plantings of it in my herb garden – you should see the size of the leaves!! The flavor is a bit strong so I’ll probably make a tincture of it this next time. My kids will take tinctures w/out a problem, but they always pass up on tea.

Rosemary was actually involved in TM at the very beginning and so I suspect that the Throat Coat tea may be one of her blends. I highly recommend her book for anyone – family or no.
.-= Pampered Mom´s last blog ..An quick, yet urgent sewing project =-.

Elderflower tea is a good one if you have a cold already. I’ve been fighting off a cold for the past few nights by drinking a tea with elderberries, ginger and honey. In the morning I always wake up feeling like I’ve won!
.-= k dilley´s last blog ..sidewalk sighting #4/nopal =-.

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This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.